The whole point of Windows 8, which is just a codename, is to be one OS that'll run on regular computers or on tablets. So Windows 8 will run two kinds of applications: A standard Windows application ("It's Windows. Everything just runs," says Windows chief Steven Sinofsky) and an almost mobile-like app, written in HTML5 and JavaScript, which Microsoft is calling a "new platform." And of course, there's IE10 underpinning those apps. All apps can be viewed in this tile-based UI, which Josh from TIMN says is, "Very impressive. It looks super fast." You can totally see the Windows Phone influence on the interface, from the tiles to the touch keyboard, which even has a "thumbs" mode. (Sinofsky tells All Things D, "We were clearly influenced ourselves by phones.") The animations and gestures and multitasking are all pretty damn smooth looking, as you can see in this demo video.

Better still, it requires fewer resources than Windows 7, which is kind of crazy. Which all sounds great. And sort of what I expected. What sounds (and looks) a little dicey is that the awesome, modern tile UI is basically just a skin over Windows. The rest of the "classic Windows desktop" is still there, looking underneath, albeit adjusted to be more touch friendly with "fuzzy hit targeting," so regular Windows applications will work with touch or keyboard/mouse. But the two things together looks like a miscreant experience, even in Microsoft's demo. The idea of running real, full Windows apps on a tablet (or anywhere) isn't a bad one, but it looks pretty gross and weird in practice.

We'll apparently see a lot more in September at Microsoft's Build conference.

Anyone want to take a guess at how many businesses might be interested in switching over to something such as this? I see that the only wayS that it would work would be if: have the option of switching back to W7 format or even XP - as can be done with some versions of current W7. Also, could present W7 users upgrade or would they be forced into a clean reboot?

The demo looks great for tablets and phones only not desktops . I have to agree with majority of commenters it's gonna look awfull on desktop. I really don't understand why not to introduce editions : "Tablet " , " MediaCenter", " Gaming " ....etc, all separated and all concentrated on something for a specific use . Like myself two of my pc's conected to TV and we use them only for MediaCenter tasks. My " Gaming PC " is for gaming . Of course don't sell thouse " Editions " like you would charge for full blown OS and everybody would get what they want.

I really LOVE that Windows 8 Touch-friendly option. Looks wonderful in my opinion. I like the fact that I have the luxury to switch between the two. I hope I can be able to add a wallpaper in the background of the touch version. I really do not understand why many commenters are jeering it. It looks very pretty.

Hmm, people by Apple iProducts because they are pretty, and Microsoft is in dire need of change if it ever wants to keep its market dominance... Otherwise the competition will just eat them up. The metro UI is great for tablets, and I can definitely see this on my desktop. Looks great in my opinion... But if you do not like the new look, you can always switch it to "legacy mode" where you do not have to see the cool new, pretty look. Plain and simple.

If Microsoft implements this correctly, I can see Windows 8 being very successful. However, based on the video, Microsoft is not implementing this correctly.

I'm glad they came up with a new interface geared towards tablets. The current Windows 7 interface simply wouldn't work well with that type of device. However, it seems as though Microsoft is going to push this interface to desktop users, which is going to suck ass.

I'd like to see Windows Phone 7 and Windows 7 combined into a single OS. Then, I'd like to see a device similiar to the Atrix that runs it. It should use a touch interface on phones and tablets, and a desktop interface for laptop and desktop environments. For instance, the Atrix running Windows 8 would act like Windows Phone 7 when the phone was running by itself, but it would act like Windows 7 when in the laptop dock. Finally, it must be fast enough to run well in both modes.

I'm excited from where this might go eventually, but for now, based on that video, I'll be glad to keep Windows 7.

Microsoft. Please wake up. Jumping on a tablet bandwagon is fine if you're going to be making tablets. I'm willing to bet 99.8% or better are actually keyboard and mice users for standard desktop use. I cannot see, nor willing to believe someone would prefer to touch a screen as opposed to clicking, except if screen is in your lap or propped up. Even so, over time it would take it's toll. Get off that Apple crap Microsoft and start thinking about what people really want. Not your XBox Live monthy charges and App store. Corporate Madness I say!!

I think it could actually be quite interesting, provided it was customizable. Running multiple desktops, or as they call them Live Tiles, you could see what was running in the background without having to hover your mouse over a minimized icon. For example seeing how far Lightroom has rendered 2000 full size previews of imported photographs. Remember Win 7 backwards has had it share of people willing to go to its core to customize the desktop and I'm sure this would be no exception. Also bear in mind it takes awhile to develop an interface and the next one after will improve on the last one. And if it uses less resources, then the computer I built will run even faster.

This is crap. As everyone says the Windows phone has no users for a reason. That horrible UI is horrible! Windows 7 is great and we can all agree it's too early to start switching up to another OS. I sure hope game developers hold out on helping MS develop technology specifically for Windows 8. I don't want to be forced to use it in order to get the newest DirectX capability.

Why would they think that basing the UI off of windows phone 7 that has about 1% market share would be a good thing? I never liked the UI for windows phone 7 and have since decided that I will never buy that phone because of it. Now I will never buy windows 8 if that is the UI. Steam needs to make a linux client, I will go to linux before I use that UI.

you have got to be kidding?!?!? wm7 is the most god aweful interface. Now they want to put it on a desktop? I pass.. and I have been on every windows beta since win95. I have godlike desktop, not a freaking tablet or phone.

edit: just watched the vid... *puke*. I will only consider it if the interface is optional.

I agree, I have no interest in tablets and this looks like it would be a terrible design for a desktop. I think Windows 7 is great and it's way too early to be talking about a new version of Windows IMO.